Lock key ejector



1969 .1. HAYNES LOCK KEY EJECTOR Sheet Filed 00%- 27, 1967 INVENTOR James L. Haynes I ATTL7RN5 Jan. 21, 1969 J. L. HAYNES 3,422,647

LOCK KEY EJECTOR Filed Oct. 27, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 [WA I INVENT OR James L. Haynes BY W 7;; Z

United States Patent Ofiice 3,422,647 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 3,422,647 LOCK KEY EJECTOR James L. Haynes, 609 S. Grove, Kewanee, Ill. 61443 Filed Oct. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 678,611 U.S. Cl. 70-388 1 Claim Int. Cl. Eb 17/00; E05b /14; E05b 65/12 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A key-actuated lock for the ignition system of an automobile engine or the like having a rotatable barrel with tumblers and with a keyway therein, and having unique means for automatically ejecting the key from the keyway in the barrel and from the lock. The means includes a fixed disc member and a movable disc member spaced from each other and a compression spring interposed between the disc member adapted to move the movable disc member upon expansion of the spring against a protruding portion of a key inserted in the keyway of the barrel and thus automatically eject said key from the lock.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in locks particularly for the ignition systems of automobile engines, although it will be understood of course that a lock in accordance with this invention may be used in any other manner or for any other purpose for which it may be found adapted and desirable,

Where locking devices are employed, it frequently happens that the user forgets to remove the key from the lock and allows it to remain there. For example, automobiles and trucks commonly use ignition switches which incorporate a lock, into which the ignition key must be inserted and then turned to close the ignition switch, thus completing the electrical ignition circuit and allowing the motor to be started. When the motor is to be stopped, it is only necessary to turn the ignition key to the off position which opens the ignition switch. But the ignition key remains in the ignition lock and frequently the driver leaves the automobile, forgetting to remove the ignition key and take it with him. This situation is an open invitation to automobile thieves, who, upon seeing the ignition key right there in the ignition lock, enter the car, turn the key to on position and drive off with the car.

A somewhat similar situation exists with respect to locks on buildings, such as oifice and homes, and also garages. Many times, the occupant having unlocked his or her home door, but being preoccupied with packages, bundles or other matter will enter the house without removing the key from the door lock and this is an open invitation to anyone to remove the key and hold it for later illegal entry of the building. Or, if the key is left in the lock upon leaving the building, then the prospective thief has only to turn the key in the lock, to gain entry, with no immediate trouble whatsoever.

A primary object of the present invention, is to provide a lock of the character described with unique means for automatically ejecting the key when the lock is in operative position or locked and manual pressure is released from the key.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a look of this character which will be comparatively simple in construction, stron' durable, high in efficiency and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dashboard of an automobile equipped with a lock embodying the present invention, the key being shown ejected from the lock.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the lock with a key in the lock in on position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the key in the o position.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a modified form of lock.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of the lock of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 8'8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view of a tumbler.

Referring in detail to the various views of the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown the dashboard 10 of a motor vehicle on which an ignition lock 12 embodying the invention is mounted. The lock 12 comprises as shown in FIG. 3, a fixed lock cylindrical housing or tumbler guard 14, with an annular bead 16 at one end thereof, the outer end as viewed in FIG. 3. Another cylindrical housing 17 forms an extension of the housing 14 and is for-med with an inturned inner flange 18 welded or otherwise suitably fixed to the beaded end 1 6 of the housing 14. The outer end of the housing 17 extends through an opening 20 in the dashboard 10 and is formed with outturned flange 22 adapted to seat against the dashboard. The housing 17 is in which the usual tumblers 28 are mounted. The barrel has formed therein a suitable keyway 30 which receives a lock key 32 for engagement with the tumblers 28. Rotatable switch elements 34 and 36 are shown inwardly of barrel 2-6 for engagement by the key for turning the same.

Inside the housing 17 there is mounted a compression spring 40, the inner end thereof being seated against a disc '42 impinging against the bead 16 on the housing 1 4. Disc 42 is formed with a central keyhole 43. The outer end of the spring impinges against a disc-shaped plate 44 formed with a central keyhole 46.

In operation, the key 32 is inserted in the usual manner through the keyhole 46 in disc plate 44 into the keyway 30 in barrel 26. The key is formed with opposed laterally extending lugs 50, 50, and said lugs engage the outer disc plate 44 and continued inward movement of the key causes the outer disc plate to compress the compression spring 40. After insertion, the key is turned in the usual manner for actuating the switch elements 34 and 36 for closing the ignition switch, the spring being retained in its compress-ed condition. When the key is turned in the opposite direction, in the direction of the arrow 54 in FIG. 1, for opening the circuit and locking the ignition lock, and also when manual pressure on the key is released, the compression spring expands actuating the outer disc-shaped plate 44 for automatically ejecting the key 32.

In FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive, an ignition look 12' embodying a modified form of the invention is illustrated. The lock 12 comprises a hollow cylindrical housing having a closure wall 92 at one end, the outer end as viewed in FIG. 6, and having an annular outer flange 94 for securing the housing in an opening 20' in the dashboard 10. The wall 92 is formed with a central keyhole 93. The other inner end is formed with an inturned flange 98. A fixed cylinder or housing 14 is mounted in the housing 90 at its inner end and suitably journalled in the cylinder or housing 14' there is a barrel 26'. A pair of pin holes extend through the wall of the barrel 26' aligned with a similar number of similar holes 102 in the fixed cylinder 14. Pins 28 are movably mounted in the holes 100 in the barrel extending into the holes 102 in the fixed cylinder.

The pins move against the action of springs 104 in the holes 102 in the fixed cylinder. An annular recess 106 with a countersunk recess portion 108 is formed in the barrel 2 6 in wardly of the pin holes 100. Hole 106 and countersunk recess portion 108 are aligned with a recess 110 having an outer countersunk recess portion 112 in the cylinder 14. A pin 114 with an annular flange 116 intermediate its ends is mounted in the hole 106 and recess 108 in the barrel, and mounted in the countersunk recess portion 112 in the fixed cylinder 14 and in recess 108 of barrel 26' there is a rubber bushing seated on the flange 116 on the pin 114. The pin 114 moves against the action of the rubber bushing 118.

In this form of lock 12', the means for ejecting the key 32' automatically is similar to the means for ejecting the key 32 of the lock 12, namely, an inner disc 42' with central keyhole 43 seated against the outer face of fixed cylinder 14 and an outer movable disc 44 with keyhole 46 therein. A compression spring 40' normally urging the disc 44' against the wall 92, is interposed between the discs and is compressed by pushing the lugs 50 of the key 32 against the outer movable disc 44.

In operation, the insertion of the key 32' through the keyhole 93, in 'wall 92 causes the lugs 50 on the key topush the disc 44' inwardly thereby compressing spring 40 to the position shown in FIG. 6. After insertion, the key is turned in the usual manner for closing the ignition switch (not shown), the spring being retained in its compressed condition by the manual pressure on the key. At the same time, the key tumbles the pins 28 against the action of springs 104 and tumbles the pin 114 against the action of bushing 118 thereby locking the parts. When the key is turned in the opposite direction, opening the circuit and locking the ignition lock, and when manual pressure on the key is released, the compression spring. 40' expands actuating the outer disc '44 for automatically ejecting the key.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that 'I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

1. A lock comprising a cylindrical housing, a barrel having a keyway being operable in said housing, spring pressed tumbler means movable in said housing and said barrel to prevent relative movement between said housing and said barrel when no proper key is in said key way, a pin having an annular flange movable in said barrel, one end of said pin being positioned in said keyway and the other end being receivable in an adjacent annular groove in said housing, a rubber bushing in said barrel positioned around said pin and against said flange to force said pin out of said groove and completely into said barrel, whereby a key inserted into said keyway moves said pin against the force of said bushing intosaid groove to prevent axial movement of said barrel relative to said housing, a second cylindrical housing forming an extension to a front portion of said first-mentioned housing, means in said extension for ejecting a key inserted into said keyway, said ejecting means including a pair of spaced perforated discs, one disc being at an inner end of said extension adjacent said front portion, the other disc being movable and at an outer end of said extension, a compression spring interposed between said discs, whereby to insert a key into said key-way, the key is inserted through the perforation in said outer disc, through said spring and through the perforation in said inner disc, wherein a portion of the key moves said outer disc towards said front portion thereby compressing said spring, when manual pressure is released from the key position in said keyway, said compressed spring expands to move said outer disc away from said front portion thereby ejecting the key.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,552,409 9/ 1925 Anderson 70-204 1,657,517 1/ 1928 Reason 70-247 1,714,426 5/ 1929 Kuepfer 70-252 1,986,676 1/1935 Hurd 70-369 X 2,281,714 5/1942 Rauh 70-378 X 2,603,082 7/1952 Mullan 70-388 2,685,792 8/1954 Glubiak 70-388 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,191 1907 Great Britain.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

